Performance of Jujube Lace Bug, Monosteira alticarinata, on Jujube, Ziziphus jujuba under Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization

Nitrogen is one of the most critical elements for plants and herbivores because it is the main component of amino acids and nucleic acids. Understanding the relationship between nitrogen fertilization and the biology and reproductive potential of pests are critical in integrated pest management programs. This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the biology and life history traits of the jujube lace bug, Monosteira alticarinata Ghauri, feeding on jujube trees. The fertilizer treatments were administered at ۰, ۵۰, and ۱۰۰% of recommended rates. The results showed that the lace bugs reared on plants receiving no nitrogen fertilization had a significantly longer total developmental time, shorter adult longevity, and lower fecundity than those reared on the other treatments. The lace bugs that fed on plants fertilized at the highest nitrogen fertilization level had the highest fecundity compared to those reared on other treatments. The net reproduction, mean generation time, gross reproductive rate, finite rate of increase and intrinsic rate of natural increase of lace bugs feeding on plants treated with the highest nitrogen dose were the highest, but doubling time was the lowest. The present data suggest that increasing nitrogen availability to the plants has the potential to increase population of the jujube lace bug and its damage to jujube trees.

Keywords:

Life table , Nitrogen fertilizer , Nitrogen nutrition , Sap-feeding insects.